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June 1927' F. H. BASSETT 33238 DIRIGIBLE BALLOON Filed Oct. 31, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 my I x D IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEY June 21, 927. 1,633,238

F. H. BASSETT DIRIGIBLE BALLOON Filed Oct. 31. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. mfiadd'eii ATTORNEY 1,633,238 J1me 1927' F. H. BASSETT DIRIGIBLE BALLOON Filed octfsl, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F1516. 9 r ,7, W

' IN VEN TOR.

June F. H. BASSETT DIRIGIBLE BALLOON Fil g Oct. 31, 1925 5 sheets sheet 4 INYEN TOR. TH firwei ATTORNEY 1,633 238 June 21, 1927. F HJBASSETT DIRIGIBLE BALLOON Filed Oct. 31. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. w

i ER Eaoveii Patented June 21, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DIZRIGIBLE BALLOON.

Application filed October 31, 1925.

This invention relates to dirigible balloons, by which is meant, lighter than air machines peculiarly adapted for navigating the air.

In machines of this class it is well known that the gas bags, being subjected to variations in the exterior temperature such as is caused by the suns rays, have the gas bags expanded or contracted 'without regard to the lifting powers thereof.

One important object of the present invention is to provide means whereby the lifting power of any gas bag may be regulated by the persons navigating such a machine.

A second important object of the invention is to provide means whereby the levitation efficiency of any gas bag may be regulated from Within the device.

It is also known that exposure to the suns rays so heats and expands the gases within the levitation elements and yet it becomes impossible to control the balloon or other aerostat within reasonable limits.

A third important object of the present invention is to provide means whereby the gas bags, which effectthe levitation will be prevented from the heat effects of sunlight.

It is also well recognized that when machines of this class approach the earth, as in a suitable landing field, they must be kept fITim striking violently against the landing fie d.

A fourth important object of the invention is to provide, in a dirigible balloon means whereby an improved character of mechanism may be used to prevent unintentional landings.

It is known that cellular construction. of the gas bags of dirigible balloons is very im portant in the structure of such devices.

A fifth important object of the present invention is to provide means whereby a dirigible balloon may be'constructed with a series of cellular gas bags each of which may be controlled, as to inflation or deflation, from the directional part of such dirigible.

A sixth important object of the invention is to provide means whereby the various gas bags, within the balloon, may be inflated or deflated at will.

A seventh important object of the invention is to provide means whereby a cooling Serial No. 66,064.

current may be constantly maintained between the inner and outer shell of such a dirigible.

An eighth important object of the invention is to provide means whereby the entire dirigible may be driven from a compartment within the dirigible. I

A ninth important object of the invention is to provide means whereby observations may be made from any desired compartment in the balloon.

A tenth important object of the invention is to provide means whereby air draughts or blasts may be directed downwardly, forwardly or rearwardly to control the balloon.

With the above and other objects in view as will be hereinafter apparent, the invention consists in general of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a dirigible constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail section taken through the middle of Figure 1 and at right angles thereto.

Figure 4 is a partial section showing the bracing as illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section through the rear part of Figure 1 showing the observation element.

Figure 6 is aview similar to Figure 5 showing the front of the dirigible and illustrating the motor room.

Figure 7 is a section on the line 77 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangements of the various parts in the dirigible.

Figure 9 is an enlarged view partly in side elevation and partly in section showing the blast apparatus.

Figure 10 is a large detail section on the line 10-10 of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a still further enlarged view showing in top plan the device as shown in Figure 10, but partly in section, the View these inner and outer balloons is a tube 13.'

Below the outer shell 10 is a gondola l4: which communicates through a passage 15, with a tubular or arched passage 16 running from one end to the other of the gondola. At intervals there are provided vertical tubes "17 which extend upward to *the tube 13.

The tube 13 is carried by tangential rods or wires 1-8 which are wrapped around. the tube and are provided with turn buckles '19 between their connection with said tube and their connections with the inner skin or shell 11. (liradrantal g-Ls bags 20 suitable tor holding hydrogen or other lighter than air gas are arranged around the tube 18 as shown in Figure 3 and each oil" these gas bags is connected jbya pipe 2'1 with a pump 22 driven bya suitable motor 23. The pump 22 is also connected bya pipe 25 with the tube 13.- Furthermore, each gas bag is connected by a tube or pipe -26 with the tube 13, this last tube having a valve '27 controlled by suitable mechanism as shown at 28 from the passageway 16. Thus it will be seen that the tube "13 is supported in the manner of the tangential spokes of an ordinary bicycle. At each end the tube 1'3 is connected to apartitionQSand diagonal brace rods 29 are provided to hold :the .tube from vibra- 7 tion longitudinally.

At the fonward end of the device it will be seen that the outer shell 10 and the inner shell. 11 areso arnangedvas to provide an air receiving space 30 so that as the machine is driven through the air-the cool ,air will enter in the space 80 and prevent heating of the inner shell, this cool air cscapi ng through the parts 31 at the rear of the di 'ig ible. Forwardly of the machine there is provided a compartment '32 having a door or deck 33 whereon is connected a motor 34,

driving through the shaft 35 a propeller 36.,

At the rear end of the inacl iiaie there is pro-- vided an observation co ipantinent 37 having decks 38 and obsei ration windows 39 which may be reached, both in front and rear by the ladders 40.

Spaced along the sides of the gondola are blast nozzles 41 which are swiveled to a main blast pipe 4L2 receiving air through a pipe l-3 from the fan or blast arrangement 44 which is driven, as by a belt 45 from a motor 46. The nozzles 41 each having a gear 47 and all of these gears are connected by a sprocket chain 48 with a directing gear 459 provided with a driving gear 50.

The balloon is of course provided with the usual rudders 51 and controlling fins 52.

It will be observed that by means of this construction the gas bags may have the gas withdrawn therefrom and compressed in the central tube, the bags partially collapsing under these conditions so that the central compartment,occupied by said bags becomes more or less filled with air in accordance with the-degree at which certain said bags are exhausted. Consequently the operation .oi:tbcgascompressor in compressing gas in the central tube acts to destroy more or less of the levitatingeffiect of the gas and :the dirigible sinks inthe air. Then it is desired :to elevate :the di-rigible the valves 27 may be opened so that the gas bags are again filled with gas and expanded the air being forced out of the shell by such expansion. Thereby the balloon is caused to rise. The nozzles a1 may be directed wrearwardly to drive the balloon forward or forwardly to back the balloon .np. Also they :may be directed downwardly in landing to provide azseries of air cushions beneath the balloon.

There has thus been provided a simple and efficient device of the kind described and for the purpose specified.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the :form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It ;is not, therefore, =desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but :it is desired to include all such "as properly come within the scope claimed.

Having thus described :the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. In a cl-i-.rigib;le, an inner shell, an outer shell, said innershell ibeing spacedly supported within the outer shell, the outer shell tern'rin-ating .rearwardly of the inner shell and bei-ng opcn at its forward end to receive cooling air and having openings at its rear end to allow the escape of such cooling air.

'2. 1:11 a dirigibile balloon, a double shell ing of spaced inner and outer shells,

. one extending across said iiamer shell adjacent the ends thereof to provide a for ward compartment, a central compartment, an d: at 11576311 compairtimeut, and a tuil :rlar bacln bone forming a itaik ltor compressed levitat ing and extending between said a] tions. w

3. In dirigiib'le balloon, a shell, a pair of partitions en-tending transversely of the shell adiiacentthe front and rear ends th e of, a tubular gas receiving tank entrancing between said pantitions, braces connecting the tank to the shell, gas bags arranged around said tank, a gas compressor, means adording communication between said tank andloags through said compressor, and in dependent valve controlled means affording communication directly between said tank and bags.

4. In a dirigible balloon, a shell, a pair of partitions extending transversely of the shell adjacent the front and rear ends thereof, a tubular gas receiving tank extending between said partitions, braces connecting the tank to the shell, certain of said braces being arranged tangentially ol' the tank and in planes at right angles to the axis thereof and others of said braces being arranged in diagonal relation to the first named braces,

gas bags arranged around said tank, a gas compressor, means aflbrding communication between said tank and bags through said compressor, and independent valve controlled means ailording communication directly between said tank and bags.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

FRED H. BASSETT. 

